Crime

Fast & Furious: Feds Charge 5 in Death of Border Agent Brian Terry

Feds Charge Five in Death of Slain Border Agent Brian Terry Operation Fast and Furious

Slain Border Agent Brian Terry (AP Photo/U.S. Customs and Border Protection, File)

Federal prosecutors revealed Monday they have charged five people in the shooting death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Brian Terry, who was killed as a result of the fundamentally flawed federal gun-walking operation “Fast and Furious.”

The indictments of five men, accused of being involved in the gun fight that ultimately resulted in Terry’s death, were unsealed today in order to seek public assistance in locating them, according to officials. The men were reportedly in the U.S. illegally and were trying to rob drug couriers. Four of the men are now thought to be in Mexico.

Fox News reports a sixth suspect was also charged in a related incident. Further, two of the six suspects — Manuel Osario Arellanes and his brother “Rito” — are in custody. All six of the men are reportedly either related or friends.

“Agent Terry served his country honorably and made the ultimate sacrifice in trying to protect it from harm, and we will stop at nothing to bring those responsible for his murder to justice,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Holder was found in criminal and civil contempt of Congress by the House last month over his refusal to turn over documents related to Fast and Furious.

Two of the guns that walked across the border during Fast and Furious were found at the scene of Terry’s murder and since, his death has undoubtedly been a driving force behind the probe into the operation.

“The indictment charging five individuals involved in the death of United States Border Patrol Agent Terry was unsealed today in Tucson, Arizona, and a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest of four fugitives was announced by Department of Justice officials,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

“According to the indictment, Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga, Ivan Soto-Barraza, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes and Lionel Portillo-Meza are charged with crimes including first degree murder, second degree murder, conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, use and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, assault on a federal officer and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. A sixth defendant, Rito Osorio-Arellanes, is charged only with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.”

Fox News has more details:

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, praised the department Monday for its announcement but questioned the timing.

“I applaud what they’re doing, but I condemn the timing. It’s very clear that the timing has everything to do with the House of Representatives holding Eric Holder in contempt,” Issa told Fox News.

Issa, who led the contempt push, said Justice could have been doing more to find the suspects all along — he called the timing of the FBI reward money “another example of using politics over good policy.”

In a statement, the Brian Terry Foundation applauded federal prosecutors for taking additional steps to bring suspects to justice, but continued to call on Holder to turn over Fast and Furious documents.

“Today‘s developments certainly mean that the criminal prosecution of Brian Terry’s killers is moving forward,” Terry family attorney Patrick McGroder said

The indictment also alleges the five men assaulted the other Border Patrol agents who were with Terry.

Feds Charge Five in Death of Slain Border Agent Brian Terry Operation Fast and Furious

From left to right, Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga, Ivan Soto-Barraza, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes, and Lionel Portillo-Meza (photo unavailable) are wanted in connection with the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry (source: fbi.gov)

More from the news release from the U.S. Attorney Office:

The 11-count third superseding indictment, which was handed up by a federal grand jury in the District of Arizona on Nov. 7, 2011, alleges that on Dec. 14, 2010, five of the defendants (Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga, Ivan Soto-Barraza, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes and Lionel Portillo-Meza) engaged in a firefight with Border Patrol agents. During the exchange of gunfire, Agent Terry was shot and killed. The indictment alleges that the defendants had illegally entered the United States from Mexico for the purpose of robbing drug traffickers of their contraband. In addition to the murder of Agent Terry, the indictment also alleges that the five defendants assaulted Border Patrol Agents William Castano, Gabriel Fragoza and Timothy Keller, who were with Agent Terry during the firefight.

“Agent Terry served his country honorably and made the ultimate sacrifice in trying to protect it from harm, and we will stop at nothing to bring those responsible for his murder to justice,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “This investigation has previously resulted in one defendant being charged with Agent Terry’s murder and taken into custody, and today‘s announcement reflects the department’s unrelenting commitment to finding and arresting the other individuals responsible for this horrific tragedy so that Agent Terry’s family, friends and fellow law enforcement agents receive the justice they deserve.”

Manuel Osorio-Arellanes has been in custody since his arrest the night of the shooting. Rito Osorio-Arellanes has been in custody since Dec. 12, 2010, when he was arrested by Border Patrol agents on immigration charges. The indictment is being unsealed today in order to seek the public’s assistance in locating the fugitive defendants.

Watch Issa explain his thoughts on the unsealing of the 11-count indictment and the curious timing of the announcement via Fox News here:

This is a breaking story and updates will be added.

Comments (129)

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  • leonardo44
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:56pm

    do they really think that we are all that stupid? Now the government is gonna help search for the bad guys, desperately trying to throw the focus off the Holder-contempt, Obama-executive privilege cover.
    This administration is transparent, but not in the way Obama meant when he made that campaign promise in 2008. Obama and his cohorts are rotten to the core.

    Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:05pm

      Encinom is that stupid.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • p00gles
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:17pm

      http://www.ammoland.com/2012/07/03/u-s-family-jailed-for-holders-gun-crimes/#axzz209ptVJji

      Report Post »  
    • bleuze
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:28pm

      Especially since the supposed felons are in Mexico and will not be found by the DOJ before election time. Remember, anyone can give a name of a person in the drug cartel!

      Report Post » bleuze  
    • Bum thrower
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:30pm

      Let’s see some indited and arrested at the ATF, and DOJ!!

      Report Post »  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:36pm

      The sad thing is that yes they do think we are all this stupid and even more sad is that there are people who are that stupid.

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:48pm

      Wow, and I thought that nobodyelse would get what’s going on here. Good job and great post. you get “***” for this one.

      Report Post »  
    • HowardSternIsABigot
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:02pm

      They hired the OJ Simpson Private Investigation Ageny,

      Report Post »  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:32pm

      They are traveling with OJ’s killer around the golf courses of the country.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:58pm

      Taking the pawns down while Holder will likely walk. Holder should get the same sentence they do as a conspirator.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • cykonas
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 11:57am

      Yes, they do think we are that stupid and with good reason. We still believe that there is a difference between a D and an R. We continue to elect them to the highest offices in the land and do a very lousy job of holding them accountable. How else could so many of them have as much seniority as they have if not for our reelecting them?

      There are very, very few “white hats” in either of the establishment parties, but we continue to elect them and expect a different result. What’s that adage about the definition of insanity? Peace.

      Report Post » cykonas  
  • sweathog1948
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:53pm

    This is such a lie.We know people who have pulled the trigger. What we want are the files that show who put this in motion in the Federal Government. A totally different answer to who is behind the Fast and Furious operation that was started by someone or a group of people in the Government. This is just a way of Holder and Obama trying to get the heat off of them, and also so they will not have to release the files. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

    Report Post »  
    • momprayn
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:09pm

      I hope I am wrong, but a likely reason this & everything else not prosecuted:
      “I took note of how she described the Obama campaign’s reign of terror and intimidation and how well coordinated it was. I thought to myself that if they were bold enough to threaten the life of the Clinton’s daughter then have they made similar threats to all of the leading Republicans in both the House and Senate? Is this why Congress has remained so silent ever since Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s March 1st news conference where he provided the American people with the evidence that Obama’s birth certificate and Selective Service Cards are forgeries?
      When you see how blatantly Obama has defied the US Constitution and federal law without any apology or excuses, it’s not hard to believe that he, like every other dictator in history, obtained his position by intimidation, threats and outright violence. Knowing he is capable of this has to make every single American extremely fearful if Obama gets re-elected.”

      http://godfatherpolitics.com/4506/obama-campaign-threaten-life-of-chelsea-clinton-to-keep-parents-silent-on-obamas-ineligibility/#ixzz2051IXd9S

      Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:54am

      Wow! Momprayin that is a very powerful and credible interview.

      At the beginning, I was one of those who didn’t give a lot of credence to the “birther” story. As I have dug into it, however, which was mostly after the fake LFBC was published, I have become increasingly convinced. I am now at the point where I think that there is little doubt at all that Mr Obama should not be in the Oval office.

      To any who might still be less than convinced, look at Mom’s link and start digging from there.

      It seems to me that, once Mr Obama leaves the White House, he will be at very real risk of being prosecuted for fraud against the American people. And standing beside him in the dock will be those accessories who assisted in perpertrating this crime.

      Thanks, Mom, for that link.

      Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:51pm

    Hmmmmm, no where did I see the name eric holder. Nor for that fact, I did not recall seeing barry soetoro either. Perhaps that is what the large reward is for. If you believe that, I have a little property down in florida I’ll sell you real cheap. It has a little water on it but that can be pumped out.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:42pm

      “Buffers! Yea! That’s it. The godfather has a lot of buffers’!!!! -The Godfather-

      Report Post »  
  • SanDiegoCountyCitizen
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:46pm

    Interesting timing… does anyone really think that Holder’s DOJ would have pursued this action, had he not just been held in contempt? This is nothing but a intentional distraction in well played game of chess by this immoral, un-ethical, progressive-marxist, statist and racist.

    A poor excuse for a human, no less a law enforcement officer.

    Report Post » SanDiegoCountyCitizen  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:35pm

      This tactic is probably in the Little Blue (the new red) Book somewhere…

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • WEBWITHDEB
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 1:41am

      Nah, they were just trying to figure out how to name these suspects and not be accused of racial profiling. Thanks to executive fiat, they are answering the hotline phone calls on behalf of all those claiming to be racially profiled. And around in circles they ran . . .

      Report Post »  
  • million
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:43pm

    Our Fed. Gov. now has the trifecta (sic). They control the media,the money and the military. Heres a nonstory that no media, online or other source will report by command of the Feds. We are so screwed.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szwlWYewPsw&feature=em-uploademail

    Report Post » million  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on July 10, 2012 at 5:12am

      You know, if it were not for sites like this one, and the people on it, we would all be much less knowledgable and a lot more easy to fool.

      Thanks, Million…

      Report Post »  
  • Max jones
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:41pm

    strap everything down there’s a storm brewing………there is no way to stop it…..politics fail miserably, so how can we go Forward from here?

    Report Post » Max jones  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:47pm

      The first week in August, Americans will all be in STURGIS. We can hold them off from there.

      Report Post »  
    • chazmo
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:26pm

      @Chips1 hehehehe.. :)

      Report Post » chazmo  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:59pm

      We go forward, loaded for bear.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • rsanchez1
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:41pm

    Bullspit Eric Holder. That’s a load of bullspit. Don‘t try to feed us the crap that you’re going to “stop at nothing to bring those responsible for his murder to justice.” If you really cared about justice, you wouldn’t ask your staff to ignore the contempt charges leveled against you. This administration’s repeated lies to the American people make me sick.

    Report Post »  
  • lel2007
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:37pm

    With obama and Holder already located I suppose the Feds don’t need help apprehending them?

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • Coonshine
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:37pm

    A lot of funny stuff down on the border. Gun smuggling, agents being killed and agents sent to prison for doing their jobs. Sheriffs along the border know what the real problems are but they are hog tied by the feds who could care less about border enforcement. If you try to protect yourself you may become subject to prosecution. This is where our real war is being fought………..

    Report Post »  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:32pm

    The big question is:

    WHO IS GOING TO SERVE THE SUBPOENA ON THE GUY IN THE WHITE HOUSE ????

    Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:37pm

      Don’t forget to add: Hillary, Napoletano, Holder and anyone else in the admin and the czars who have any connection to the matter.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:41pm

      Certainly nobody in congress,they’ve all overdosed on estrogen.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • VoteRightDammit
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:50pm

      P-Slayer:

      My God, my God, is THAT the truth!

      Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:20pm

      Comrade, according to Farakan it will be some white guy with a gun!
      But just remember, comrade, Stalin and Mao would know how to deal with this, wouldn’t they?

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • Blazebanned
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:32pm

      @Voterightdammit.
      No one will serve them. its my guess these are pictures of dead guys,and this is nothing more than a tactic by odumbass to take some heat off of holder.Where did the pics comefrom, and who i‘ded these pos’ as the suspects?It is also a way to placate Terry’s family,as if that will work….

      Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:32pm

    When will holder be charged with giving them the guns

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:11pm

      If you or I knowingly sold guns to these guys I wonder if we could just say “oops”

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • momprayn
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:31pm

    Probably did this to quiet down the scandal re Holder/DOJ…..hoping now it will go away. Hope not.
    They haven’t put the criminals behind it all….Obama, Holder, etc.
    And speaking of the Feds, corruption, illegal aliens — check out the latest proofs re terrorists crossing over at our southern borders from Mexico with probable weapons, etc. – DHS denies of course and because of the hot political amnesty issue……where is the outrage?!

    http://www.westernjournalism.com/proof-that-terrorists-are-entering-u-s-from-mexican-border/

    Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:30pm

    Now just how did those 4 guys who the FBI arrested the day after Brian Terry’s murder make it back to Mexico?

    “At 1:35 agents reported that they now had a total of four suspects in custody.”

    http://www.alipac.us/f12/brian-terry-agents-fired-first-bean-bags-218840/

    The-Monk  
    • Bryancpe
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:03pm

      “In the weeks since then, three of the four original suspects were allowed to plead to immigration violations and were scheduled to be deported.”
      I wonder why they believe that they are now in Mexico? Umm maybe because they deported them there.

      Report Post » Bryancpe  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:08pm

      @Bryancpe

      What if the 4 arrested were never involved? Just scapegoats…..

      The-Monk  
    • chips1
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:55pm

      Their real goal is to go after Zimmerman. That should clear up 90% of the unsolved crimes in America.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:56pm

      THE-MONK, After reading all of this, that last post of yours really makes the most sense. I’m in agreement with you there.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:28pm

    I watched ‘Act of Valor’ yesterday. It was quite enjoyable watching Special Forces personnel splatter cartel brains on the ground.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:39pm

      I watched it last week and I liked the part where our guy was standing in the river with hands up to catch the tool after he was popped so there wasn’t a splash,nice touch.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:49pm

      Agreed. The whole thing was excellent. I hope they do more like it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Baja
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:05pm

      I saw a pre-screening of the movie. Last month it became available on DVD.

      Report Post » Baja  
    • MN NICE
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:10pm

      Definately some “feel good” moments in that movie… It’s a good thing Napoletano, Holder and Obama have things buttoned up and secure so we won’t require action like that on our southern border…

      Report Post » MN NICE  
    • Hades
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:23pm

      I just seen that last week. Awesome movie. Some of those SEALs can really act. Deploy a SEAL Team to the border with orders to shoot anyone with *weapons* entering the country illegally. See how quickly our boarder would be secured.

      Report Post »  
  • one.dakine.howlie
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:28pm

    Well isn’t that convenient that this happens as Eric Holder and the President are on the edge of being indicted for this crime… All this is is Eric Holder’s attempt at getting the heat off of him and the President. It’s a smoke screen. A diversion. The same tactic Obama has been using the last four years to hide his corruption.

    Report Post »  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:39pm

      Yeah, this stinks to high heaven. I was hoping that Holder was one of those on the warant. I’m so naive.

      Report Post » D-Fence  
  • Whats up with that
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:25pm

    All of the sudden they find the killers…What a joke…Can you say SCAPEGOATS???

    Report Post » Whats up with that  
    • WTF
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:38pm

      Not only scapegoats but “Election Year”

      Report Post »  
  • pap pap
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:25pm

    “and we will stop at nothing to bring those responsible for his murder to justice,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.

    Just look in the mirror Eric and you will see someone else who should be charged with this death and that of over 200 mexicans and Obummer too.

    Report Post »  
  • antrancher
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:25pm

    What? I thought the government was tracking the guns??? You mean they weren’t? You mean they do no t know where these guys are?

    Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:21pm

    When are we going to see Holder’s name and picture on that wanted list??

    Report Post »  
    • DisgruntledInClinton
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:28pm

      Too bad it took a Contempt of Congress vote to get him to move his azz on this. Now, what about the white voter intimidation in Philly by the New Black Panthers. He didn’t just drop the ball on that one, he totally ignored it. So, what’s going to happen to white voters this November? Do we all bring our guns, knives and baseball bats just to allow us to vote?

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:19pm

      RIGHTUNITE, That will only happen in a Republican administration and even then only if the president and his new AG have the real brass to do something. Any charges anybody pushes onto Holder right now can and undoubtedly would be pardoned on 0bama’s last day in office.
      Speaking of pardons, anybody here think that 0bama will beat Clinton’s record of commutations and pardons come 20 January 2013? That was 38 commutations, and a whopping 150 pardons! Keep your eyes open.
      I’m usually wary when using Wikipedia to back up my statements, but this is a simple list, and I have seen it before.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_pardoned_by_Bill_Clinton

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • mayihelpyou
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:16pm

    When do Holder and Obama get charged? We know where they are.

    Report Post »  
    • TexasHunter
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:26pm

      SMOKE AND MIRRORS. That is all this is. Sure pic 5 illegals out of how many??? How did they know they were in the country if illegal?? They are making a disgrace out of his death to try to cover up and close this before it actually goes public. This White House is a disgrace!!

      Report Post » TexasHunter  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:13pm

    Holder and Barry should be charged as well but I won’t hold my breath,this regime pales in comparison to tricky Dick Nixon and his antics.Nixon was brought down because Liddy & crew broke into a shrinks office,Barry and his crew murdered a border agent,no comparison.

    The difference is Nixon wasn’t telegenic and the smiling jackal is favored by the fawning so called press.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • SREGN
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:12pm

    How come they all have hyphenated last names? Are they related to Sheila Jackson-Lee?

    Report Post »  
  • korbin
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:12pm

    Oath breakers all of them trying to pretend like they care about the Terry family, come clean it is inevitable the truth always comes out. It is all about the 2nd amendment and total disregard for our individual liberties. VOTE out all the oath breakers. oathkeepers.org

    Report Post »  
  • oddball130
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:09pm

    `There are alot more Ilegals in the country than the government wants you to know about. Probably twice as many, maybe more.

    Report Post » oddball130  
  • Michael
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:06pm

    unless one of the is Erick Holder their job is not done…

    Report Post » Michael  
    • deeberj
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:15pm

      Yes, we need to indict Holder too.

      Report Post » deeberj  
    • RLTW
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:27pm

      I assumed the shadow mug shot was Holder, if not justice is dead.

      Report Post »  
    • Maxim Crux
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:55pm

      I don’t see his picture. Arrest Eric Holder and then perhaps justice will be upheld.

      Report Post »  
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